Supportive Couple

So I had the opportunity to observe an unique couple this morning. It happened as I was on my way to my friend's apartment to attend a prayer walk. I transferred from the express train to the local train. I saw a stroller to my left, which in NYC means one of two possibilities. One, there is a person with a baby or, two, there is a homeless person with all their belongings. This was the second possibility, but instead of one homeless person it was a couple.

As I was happily listening to my ipod, I didn't quite notice them at first, or hear them, at least not for a few minutes. And then I heard her. She was yelling obscenities to a woman (who, apparently was fat, ugly and couldn't get a man) who I never saw. She was getting really mad. People started moving away from her to the other end of the train. The man with her was oblivious to anything that she was saying, and was quietly eating his sandwich.

And then she started to get quiet, and a sad look came upon her face. And she started to cry. And instantly the man with her started to comfort her with words as he draped his arm around her shoulder. "See, this is why I shouldn't be nice." (Of course, yelling obscenities to someone isn't what I would call being nice, but...) I didn't quite hear the words he spoke. But she had all of his attention.

It was very emotional and moving. Very raw. This is a tough city to live in. I am constantly exposed to people's pain in a way that it is on display for me. It's right there in front of you. In a matter of a few moments, I went from feeling disgust, annoyance, to a little envious of what that couple shared. I felt a few tears fall down my cheek. It's days like these that I think I'll never be the same. Hope that's true.